Aircraft will flip, dive and soar this weekend as the annual Wellington Aviation Festival takes flight.
Starting Friday evening at 4 p.m., the festival will kick off with the start of the carnival and the Wellington High School Madrigal singers serving as entertainment for the evening. Air Balloon launches will fill the air with color as those below venture though various booths and food vendors.
Wellington Noon Lions Club President Robert Mandevill said there will be all types of food — everything from roasted corn to funnel cakes.
All eyes will be on the sky Saturday morning as the air show starts. Doors open at 6 a.m., and the annual Lions Club breakfast will start at 7 a.m. with all you can eat pancakes and sausage.
After getting a fill of breakfast, planes will fly constantly starting at 10:30 a.m. and not stopping until 5:30 in the evening.
Blackhawk helicopter dignitary rides will start the air show, with a B25 and C47 taking their last ride at 11 a.m.
Various performers will entertain the crowd, with cannons to be fired and 14 sky divers to jump out of an airplane.
Halitzers will blast off at 1:05 p.m. with 15 rounds being shot into the air by the infantry.
“It’s going to be very, very loud,” Mandevill said. Ear plugs will be on hand for little ones with sensitive ears, he added.
A decathalon show and the waco show are also big highlights at this year’s festival.
Mandevill said he and his fellow Lions are excited about this year’s festival, especially with all the military aircraft on display.
“The kids are going to be able to get right up in the Blackhawks and walk around and the F-15s are just going to rattle the town,” he said.
A preview of the F-15 will take place at 2:30 p.m., Friday, and Mandevill said there will be no mistaking it.
“It will wake the town up,” he said.
A family friendly atmosphere will create great fun, Mandeville said. Attendees are encouraged to bring in their own chairs and even their own coolers and snacks.
Wristbands for the aviation festival are now available through any of the local banks in town, at the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and through Noon Lions Club members. Wristbands are $7 in advance, and $10 at the door and are good for both days. Children under three will be admitted free and there will be free carnival rides for any admitted child.
“Kids can ride all day Friday and Saturday with a wristband. It’ll get your kids tired,” he said.
For more information on the festival call 620-326-3157.
Wellington, Kan. —
